Daijiro Yoshihara facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Daijiro Yoshihara
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| Born | December 24, 1978 Hachiōji, Tokyo, Japan
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| Other names | Dai Yoshihara |
| Occupation | Professional Racing Driver
Professional Drift Car Driver Stunt Driver |
Daijiro Yoshihara, also known as Dai, is a professional racing driver from Japan. Born on December 24, 1978, he is known for his impressive skills in many types of car racing. These include drifting, road racing, and even stunt driving. Dai has won many championships and set records throughout his career.
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Early Life
Daijiro Yoshihara was born in Hachiōji, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan. His family was working class. From a young age, he loved cars. His dad worked at a car dealership, which helped grow Dai's passion for cars.
As soon as he turned 18, the legal driving age in Japan, he got his driver's license. Right away, he started drifting. Before he became a professional racer, Dai worked many different jobs. He was a chef, a gas station worker, a truck driver, and even sold used cars. He also sold Japanese car parts online.
Racing Career
Dai Yoshihara started his professional racing journey as a rookie. He quickly showed his talent in the D1 Grand Prix, a major drifting competition. Soon after, he moved to Formula Drift. He became known for his brave driving style. In his first season, he finished in second place overall. He kept performing well, often finishing in the top five. In 2007, he earned a great third-place finish.
In 2008, Dai got a special car, a Pontiac GTO, from a factory team. He then took second place in the Red Bull Drifting World Championship. This showed everyone he was one of the best drifters in the world. He continued his success with Falken Tire, driving a modified Nissan 240SX. Even with challenges in 2009, he finished 11th overall.
Dai kept working hard on his Nissan 240SX. This led to an amazing 2011 season. He won the Formula Drift Championship and also the Triple Crown award. This proved how consistently excellent he was. He drove the same car until 2013. After that, he switched to a 2014 Subaru BRZ, taking on new challenges.
Dai's racing journey isn't just about drifting. In 2019, he set the fastest lap at the Global Time Attack Super Lap Battle in his Toyota 86. In 2020, he won first place in the Unlimited Class at the famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
Today, Dai Yoshihara continues to be a great example in motorsport. He still competes in different races. He inspires others with his talent and dedication. His journey from a passionate amateur to a champion shows that success comes from taking chances and pushing your limits.
Major Achievements
Drifting Highlights
- Formula Drift
- 2011 Championship (1st Place Overall)
- 2011 Tires.com Triple Crown (1st Place Overall)
- 2004 Championship (2nd Place Overall)
- 2007 Championship (3rd Place Overall)
- 2008 Championship (4th Place Overall)
- 2010 Championship (4th Place Overall)
- 2016 Championship (6th Place Overall)
- 2017 Championship (6th Place Overall)
- 2021 Formula Drift Skills Battle (1st Place Overall)
- Other Drifting Events
- 2nd place, Red Bull Drifting World Championship (2008)
- 2nd place, Pro Drift Ireland Round 5 (2012)
Time Attack and Road Racing Highlights
- Pikes Peak International Hill Climb
- 2020 Unlimited Class (1st Place)
- 2022 Exhibition Class (2nd Place)
- Global Time Attack / Super Lap Battle
- 2019 Overall (1st Place)
- 2019 Unlimited RWD Class (1st Place)
- 2015 Unlimited FWD Class (1st Place, FWD Course Record)
- 2014 Unlimited FWD Class (1st Place)
- 2010 Street RWD Class (1st Place)
- 2006 Drift Class (1st Place)
- TC America Championship
- 2023: Won races at NOLA Motorsports Park and Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- 25 Hours of Thunderhill
- 2021 E0 Class (1st Place)
- Gymkhana Grid
- 2010 RWD Champion
- MotoIQ Pacific Tuner Car Championship
- 2011 (1st Place)
Judging and Instruction
Dai Yoshihara also shares his knowledge and skills. He has been a judge for many drifting series, including Formula Drift Japan and Formula Drift Asia. He also works as an instructor, teaching others how to drive. He has taught at places like the International Drifting Academy and the Porsche Experience Center.
TV Appearances
Dai Yoshihara starred as himself in a web series called Behind the Smoke. This show followed Dai and his team during his championship-winning 2011 Formula Drift season. It showed what it was like both on and off the track. The show won a Bronze Telly Award in 2012 for Online Video Reality Show.
